kənˌfedəˈrāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English confederacioun, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French confederation, from Late Latin confoederation-, confoederatio agreement, compact, from confoederatus + Latin -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : an act of confederating or a state of being confederated : a compact for mutual support : an alliance (as of nations or states) : league
b. archaic : conspiracy
2. : a group of independent nations, states, or tribes more or less permanently united by a treaty or alliance for joint action (as for defense against a common enemy)